A sermon from by Tony Rose on Numbers 13:25-14:4 about the need for God's people to have a "Faith Focused Life" or a "God Orientation" so that we will believe God and obey him.
I wanted to share this article with you because it points to some very important concepts about leadership. I found the 1st and 3rd principles influential for me.
Leadership is developed in others through relationships, and a good leader develops relationships. A good leader will also seek to develop others in leadership who don't necessarily show the initiative to becoming leaders.
Enjoy!
Influence: Connecting with PeopleBy Dr. John C. Maxwell
As a train's source of energy and direction, the locomotive plays a vital role. However, unless a locomotive connects to other cars on the track, it is relatively useless. A train's value comes from its ability to transport massive amounts of cargo, and doing so requires the locomotive to link up with dozens of freight cars. Traveling by itself, a locomotive would arrive at its destination empty-handed. In that case, its journey would be nothing more than a waste of fuel.
Leaders are like locomotives in that they're blessed with drive, energy, and vision. However, until leaders learn the art of connection, their influence remains minimal. In isolation, their talents accomplish little, and their efforts are squandered.
Let's look at practical ways whereby leaders can make meaningful connections with others.
8 Steps for Connecting with People
#1 Don't Take People for Granted
Weak leaders get so caught up in the vision of where they're going that they forget whom they're trying to lead. Instead, leaders would be wise realize that connecting to people and developing them are the surest ways to gain influence. Results happen through relationships.
#2 Possess a Difference-Maker Mindset
A hesitant and indecisive leader doesn't enliven the hearts or imaginations of people. On the contrary, leaders who influence and inspire have a difference-maker mindset. They connect with others by passing along an infectious confidence in their ability to succeed.
#3 Initiate Movement Toward People
Freight cars sitting on the railroad tracks won't go anywhere by themselves. They will rust and collect dust unless a locomotive makes contact and connects to them. Similarly, most people stay parked due to self-doubt, fear, or absence of vision. It takes the connection of a leader to tap into their potential and rouse them to action.
#4 Search for Common Ground
Anytime you want to connect with a person, the starting point should be shared interests. If you're attentive to the hobbies, histories, and habits of those you lead, then you will find ample areas of common ground. Launch out from these areas of agreement to build rapport.
#5 Recognize and Respect Differences
We are capable of finding common ground with others, but at the same time we need to acknowledge that we're all different. The greatest influencers realize that differences ought to complement rather than clash. When you demonstrate regard for diverse personalities and meet people on their terms, they will appreciate your sensitivity and connect with the understanding you've shown.
#6 Learn the Key to Others' Lives
People have core motivations that vary drastically, and a leader has to discern them to forge a connection with others. Generally, the key can be unearthed by examining what a person has already done in life and by discovering what he or she aspires to do in the future. Once you've found the key, do not exploit it. Turn the key only when you have the person's permission, and always use it for his or her benefit - not your own.
#7 Communicate from the Heart
Nothing repels people like a phony leader. Be authentic when you speak, and align your actions and words. People respond to passion, and they will latch onto a vision when it's communicated directly from the heart.
#8 Share Common Experiences
Shared experiences cement a relationship. For this reason, it's wise to be intentional about eating out with teammates, inviting them to join you on an errand, or taking in a play or ballgame together. The more time you invest in those you lead, the greater the connection you will forge with them.
Summary
One is too small of a number to achieve greatness. No one ever accomplishes alone what he can do in partnership with others. If you're looking to grow as an influencer, start by strengthening your connections with the people around you.
Link to orginal article: http://www.giantimpact.com/articles/read/article_influence_connecting_with_people/?utm_source=leadershipwired&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=lw-20090421#
This book tells of a man whose life transformed from meaningless to meaningful. There are two ways to approach life. The way of stagnation is the way of most. Donald found meaning in life when he began to write a story with his life that involved risk. He talks about the need to react to “inciting” events in life by taking risks to enter those events and seek one's desires through conflict.
I found this book helpful. Put in a Christian context, it confirms that the Christian life is one of conflict. The most fulfilled Christian is the one who seeks his greatest desire, God, through great conflict. Thus, he tells an amazing story with his life. The least fulfilled Christian avoids conflict even when such avoidance keeps him from great fellowship with God. Donald's book only disappoints me in that when he has the opportunity to point people to the gospel of Jesus Christ, he stops short. God, Jesus and prayer are in the book. But, a clear evangelical gospel message is missing. The book can easily be read and the message of the greatest pursuit in life, God through Christ, can still be missed.A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life
This is a link to the live stream of the Southern Baptist Founder's Conference that will take place next week. The theme of the event is "The Foolishness of Preaching." The argument: Preaching that puts the Word of God at the center is the only means to recover the church.
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